High School Equivalency Testing

The specific purpose of the High School Equicalency Test is to measure the educational development of adults who have not completed their formal high school education. Adults may earn a High School Equivalency Certificate and thus qualify for admission to colleges or other educational institutions, meet educational requirements for employment or promotion, satisfy educational qualifications for induction into armed services, fulfill requirements of local state licensing boards, or gain personal satisfaction.

Illinois law authorizes the Illinois State Board of Education to make rules necessary to carry into efficient and uniform effect the provisions for the issuance of High School Equivalency Certificates in the State.

Eligibility:

17 years of age or older

Is not a high school graduate or GED graduate*

Has maintained residence in the State of Illinois for thirty days.

NOTE: If a individual is of school age and has been enrolled in a public, private, or a home school setting in the last 12 months, they must present a withdrawal letter from the last school enrolled before taking the test.

Participants now have two choices for high school equivalency testing: HiSet and GED.

HiSet

Effective January 1, 2018, ROE26 will only offer the GED option. Other ROEs may offer the HiSet. To find testing centers near you, please visit the ETS HiSET website.

GED Information

Individuals must have an email address and a credit or debit card because the fee must be paid at the time of registration.

If the standard score is not achieved on any portion of the GED Test, a retake of that subject portion will need to be completed. Each subject taken individually will cost $30.

Download the MyGED "How to" Guide (PDF) to learn how to create an account, study for the GED test, pay for and take the practice test, and more.

Test Scores

You will receive unofficial GED test scores at the time of completing the test, but to receive official scores or have scores sent to a college or place of employment, you must contact the ROE in the county you reside.

Practicing the GED Test

You can find out more about the test and take practice GED tests. There are four subject tests on the GED Test:

Mathematics

Reading

Language Arts reading and writing

Social Studies

Constitution Exam

In addition to the GED subject tests, Illinois residents are required to satisfactorily complete the Illinois state Constitution Exam or provide proof of completion. This test is a pass/fail. Constitution exams can be taken at the ROE locations.

The Constitution Study Guide website is written for adult GED students in Illinois, who will be required to take a Constitution test in order to receive a GED certificate. The website presents information about the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, the Illinois Constitution, and the U.S. flag.

GED Transcript and Certificate

To request copies of your GED transcript or certificate if you tested in Fulton, Hancock, McDonough, or Schuyler County, complete and submit this form: